Thursday, November 7, 2013

Green Computing

In current times, there is technological developement taking place every minute across the world. This evolution of technology leads to our betterment and makes our life on this earth easy.  In this phase of evolution and developement, we are harming the environment. The major problem arises when old computers are being dumped without proper disposals procedures. Large amounts of electricity and heat is being consumed by various devices. The level of green house gases is going up. It is our responsibility to protect the environment. In order to do so and develop technology at the same time, the concept of green computing comes into existence.

Green computing is all about disposing computers and other parts like monitors, printers efficiently so that the environment is not affected. Like all other green activities, this promotes recyclability and biodegradability. Energy Star is an initiative started by the government. Companies like Intel, Microsoft, IBM, Dell, HP have started a project called Green Grid, to improve the resource efficiency of data centres. One other such project started by an industry is Climate Savers Computing Initiative which was started by various manufacturers to reduce the electric power consumption in PCs.

There are several approaches for green computing. One significant approach is to extend the life span of various equipments. Construction of data centres should consider environmental conditions. Softwares consume computer resources. Hence writing efficient algorithms and programs  reduce the amount of computer resources required for any given computing function. For example Algorithm changes, such as switching from a slow search algorithm to a fast search algorithm can reduce resource usage for a given task from substantial to close to zero. With concept of virtualization, a system administrator could combine several physical systems into virtual machines on one single, powerful system, thereby unplugging the original hardware and reducing power and cooling consumption.

Recycling of computers should be done. Old computers can be re-used by charity organizations. Computing supplies, such as cartridges, papers and batteries should be recycled. Teleconferencing and telepresence technologies are often implemented in green computing initiatives. The main advantage is reducing of emission of green house gases, consumption of light and heat. There are degree and post graduate programs which educate students on how to build and maintain the systems in a  environment friendly manner.

All round the world there are many ideas which are implemented in this direction. We need to do our part for protecting the environment by applying as many methods as possible. Being an inventor we should make sure that our creation doesnt harm our earth. We need to spread awareness about Green Computing for a better, healthy living and greener earth.

Mind Reading Computer

This technology is as fascinating as the name sounds. A mind reading computer is a computer that implements computational model of mind reading to infer mental states of people from their facial signals. It is a form of telepathy between a human brain and a computer.  A computer like this promises a future where all the technology around us adjusts according to our mood swings.

  To develop a computer like this we need to have knowledge about body gestures, body posture and the relation between the head and the facial expressions. By analyzing movement, shape and color we can predict facial expressions like a smile or eyebrows being raised. With this basic knowledge, the system requirements are Windows with a 32MB RAM or Apple Power Mac running OS 9.2 with 16MB RAM, 16 bit color display, sound card, speakers and a CD-ROM drive.

  Mind reading computer actually involves measuring the volume and oxygen level of blood around the subject’s brain using a technology called functional near-infrared spectroscopy. The user wears a futuristic headband that sends light in that spectrum into the tissues of the head where it is absorbed by active, blood filled tissues. The headband then identifies how much light was not absorbed, informing the computer gauge the metabolic demands that the brain is making. In this way we can interpret thoughts of any human being and we can travel through their minds.

  A computer like this can create miracles and the scope of this technology is vast. Now, we cannot communicate to a person in coma but in the future we will be able to. We can create a wheelchair that is solely controlled by the mind, not only this, it can help space walking astronauts.

 With a technology like this we would have a future where communication knows no boundaries. A world where even our thoughts are not safe and hidden.